MUSKEGON, MI -- The National Merit Scholarship Corp. has announced winners of National Merit Scholarships funded by U.S. colleges and corporations.

To qualify for the scholarships, students must have scores on the SAT college entrance exam that are among the top 1 percent in the nation. They are chosen as finalists based on their extracurricular activities, academic record, awards, leadership positions and a written essay.

In all, about 8,000 high school seniors are expected to receive $35 million in scholarships.

Receiving college-sponsored scholarship ranging from $500 to $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study are Kaitlin E. Lacy of Grant High School and Joshua R. Recknagel of Mona Shores High School.

Lacy’s scholarship is from the University of Kentucky, where she plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Recknagel’s scholarship is funded by Wheaton College, where he plans to prepare for a career in surgical medicine.

Receiving a $2,500 corporate-sponsored scholarship is Virginia L. Hoch, a recent graduate of North Muskegon High School who plans to study biomedicine.